Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a pottery class cost at Still Point Clay Atelier?
A: It varies. We have 1-time workshops that start as low as $40 as well as camps and courses of ranging from $155-$270 depending on duration. All materials are included. Private and semi-private lessons are more per hour than group classes.
Q: What do I bring to class?
A: Be sure to tie back long hair and wear clothes in which you are comfortable getting dirty, selecting tops and bottoms that will provide coverage and comfort while both straddling and leaning over the wheel. You'll need to wear shoes that are suited for the studio environment as well. Please avoid wearing perfume, cologne or other heavy scents. You may also wish to bring your own apron or hand towel if you like. Adults are invited to BYOB provided it is in a shatter-proof container or wrapped in a coozie! Access to the necessary tools and clay are included in the registration fee. (Please read your course description carefully for more details on clay, glazes or kiln capacity.)
Q: Why does it take weeks to get my glazed ware from a 1-time class?
A: We do at least one bisque firing and one glaze firing every week. The day after your class, one of our Pottery Elves wires your piece off and tidies up the foot, marking it with the date and your name when it is "leather hard." Your ware has to dry completely, a stage refered to as "bone dry" before it can safely go through its first firing. This can take several days depending on humidity, air conditioning and the thickness of your piece. (If ware is put into the bisque firing with any residual moisture, it can have a blow out as that water heats and expands.) We have to wait until the studio has enough ware to fill a bisque kiln before we fire it, then that process takes about 24 hours. The Elves work their behind the scenes magic to glaze your ware, and then, once the studio has enough ware to load the higher fire glaze kiln, that takes another 24 hours. Occasionally we have too much ware come in at once, and a piece has to wait in line for the next available bisque or glaze firing. We aim to have it ready for pickup in 2 weeks, but it does sometimes take closer to 3.
Q: When can I pick up my glazed ware once I receive an email or text that it is ready?
A: We are open during our class schedule which varies from week to week, but is always viewable on stillpointauburn.com. In addition, the Pottery Elves are often hard at work in the back, pugging clay, processing ware, loading kilns, mixing glazes, etc, so you can text 334-663-1749 to plan ahead for coordinating with us for pickup.
Q: How long will you hold our ware until we can pick it up?
A: We will hold your ware for pickup up to 30 days after you have been notified that it is available. Unclaimed ware is discarded or donated after 30 days to make room for new creations, so thanks in advance for picking up your work in a timely fashion.
Q: What if I must miss a class?
A: Please double check your calendar before enrolling, as we do not have the capacity to facilitate makeups, plus beginner classes cover new ground each week and you'll want to stay in the loop. Please refer to our Cancellation and Refund Policy for more details.
Q: Can I bring a guest to the studio?
A: We are unable to accommodate guests of students or members. If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about what it is like to create at Still Point, please refer them to one of our monthly 1-day workshops or a 4-week intro course.
Q: What clay bodies and glazes do you offer?
A: Currently, we have Standard Brown 112 and our white is Laguna Bmix with no grog. On occasion we will be offering raku or other clay bodies for special events. We have a menu of paint-on Amaco, Mayco, Spectrum and Stroke&Coat glazes as well as a limited selection of dipping glazes on offer. We fire to cone 6 max.
Q: Can I purchase more clay or kiln space during a course?
A: Still Point Clay Atelier values quality over quantity and does not have the firing capacity for production pottery at this time. If we have the capacity to accommodate additional work, add-on purchases will be made available electronically on site.
Q: Can local artists rent kiln space?
A: We are a small-but-mighty community studio and have capacity only for our students and members at this time.
Q: How do I schedule a private lesson or special event?
A: We love to tailor individual and small-group sessions to meet your unique needs. While we can accommodate groups of up to 11 on the wheels, we find that a max of 8 is optimal if participants are new to throwing on the wheel. All private lessons and special event requests require pre-payment in full no less than 48 hours prior to the start time in order to reserve the studio. Please refer to our Cancellation and Refund Policy for more details.
Q: How do I sign up for membership?
A: Independent Studio Membership at Still Point is currently full. The next round of applications will open in August 2026. Meanwhile, we invite you to enroll in a course, as successful completion of at least one Still Point course of 6 weeks or longer will not only help you decide if membership is right for you, it will also be one of the pre-requisites to apply along with completion of the Studio Workflow class. Following us on Instagram and facebook and/or signing up for our newsletter are the best ways to stay looped in when the membership wait list opens.